🔗 Share this article

During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% ready. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.